NDC cautions Tinubu against undermining democratic institutions

By Lateef Ibrahim

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions, warning that any attempt to weaken constitutional governance could erode public confidence in government.
Speaking at the Diplomatic Digest 6th Anniversary Lecture, NDC National Chairman, , stressed that democracy can only thrive when the rule of law, judicial independence, press freedom and a credible electoral system are protected.
According to a statement shared by the party on Friday, Dickson said Nigeria’s democratic progress must not be reversed through actions that undermine key institutions, noting that governments which fail to respect constitutional limits risk being viewed as authoritarian.
He argued that democracy requires continuous commitment to constitutional governance rather than mere civilian rule, adding that there is little distinction between civilian and military authoritarianism when democratic institutions are weakened.
The former Bayelsa governor also expressed concern over what he described as declining democratic values across Africa, particularly within the ECOWAS sub-region.
He blamed the situation on what he called the Federal Government’s ineffective foreign policy, saying Nigeria’s regional leadership had diminished while the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States reflected growing cracks within ECOWAS.
Dickson further advised President Tinubu to ensure that state institutions are not deployed for partisan purposes, warning that any government perceived as operating above the Constitution or placing party interests ahead of national institutions would eventually lose the trust and support of citizens.
He maintained that protecting democratic principles remains essential to preserving stability in Nigeria and across West Africa.